A former University of Virginia lacrosse player convicted of killing
his ex-girlfriend was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Thursday,
according to the Commonwealth Attorney's office in Charlottesville,
Virginia.

In February, a
Charlottesville jury found George Huguely, 24, guilty of second-degree
murder and grand larceny in the May 2010 death of Yeardley Love.

Circuit Court Judge
Edward Hogshire sentenced Huguely to 23 years for murder and to one
year, concurrent with that sentence, for the larceny charge. He also
sentenced Huguely to three years of supervised release.

Virginia does not have
parole. Huguely may earn time for good behavior during his incarnation,
but the maximum credit he can receive is 15%. In other words, he must
serve at least 85% of his sentence, or roughly 19½ years.

"We love George and will
always support him," Huguely's family said in a statement soon after
sentencing. "We hope and pray that the passage of time will bring some
semblance of peace and healing to each and everyone who has been
affected by this tragedy, most especially the Love family."

The case captured
national attention and highlighted the volatile relationship of star
athletes Huguely and Love, 22. Both played lacrosse for the university's
nationally ranked teams.

The jury did not agree
with the prosecution that Huguely was guilty of first-degree murder, and
it acquitted him on several other charges, including robbery, and
breaking and entering to commit larceny.

Huguely has never denied he was in Love's apartment nor that they had a fight.